‘I Organise It With A Spreadsheet’: Get Ready For Christmas With Elizabeth Hurley

In the Hurley household, Christmas is a week-long affair with a house full of rotating guests, nightly costume parties and long dog walks to recover. She chats to Grazia about her festive plans, her favourite Christmas films and why she always loves to spoil her family at this time of year.

Do you start your Christmas shopping early or are you a last-minute person?

Throughout the year, if I see something that I know will be great for someone, I’ll nab it and stash it away. Little stocking presents I’ll pick up when I’m travelling, or if I see something my mum or my sister would like then I’ll get it.

During the shoot for the Debenhams Christmas advert, I had my eye on something - there were these fabulous sheepskin rugs that were so beautiful and the props man said I could have them! They’re going to be a Christmas present for my sister.

Saying all that, on the whole I’m a last minute shopper like everyone else.

I like the sort of presents that whenever you read an article they are the things people supposedly don’t want. I want socks, I want a hot water bottle, I want bath oil, I want scented candles. That’s all the stuff I want. I love lip glosses and nail polish. It’s the type of stuff I never buy for myself. Who buys themselves socks? Never! I have to rely on my stocking. I'd also be delighted to find an Estée Lauder bronzer or night serum.

Do you know what you're getting your son Damian this year?

I think I’m going to buy Damian a new camera because he takes beautiful photographs. The one we’re using now, there’s something wrong with it and it goes off every two seconds, so I’ve promised him a really good, proper professional camera. I’m going to get some advice on it from one of my photographer friends.

My family does a lot for me because I travel so much. They’re often holding down the fort. If something needs doing in the house, they’ll go and help me with it, or they’ll wait in for the plumber or something like that. So I do like to give them nice presents when I can. I like to spoil my family at Christmas as a big thank you. I love them very much.

When it comes to Christmas parties, what makes a great outfit?

Truthfully, and you can see this reflected in the Debenhams advert, I like a bit of glitter for parties. I think it’s nice to be sparkly for Christmas. When it gets to December, you’re sort of like ‘oh yeah, I could wear that sequin jacket’ or ‘I could wear that sequin top’ and it always looks great at Christmas. You’re allowed!

Do you like to host at Christmas?

I always have my whole family and quite a lot of friends come to stay with me for about four or five days over Christmas. Every night, we make a real effort. The daytime we’re in jeans and sweaters, but every night there’s a silly theme. It could be black tie and party dresses or it could be ninjas, superheroes, animals, or we've done a Druid party before. Basically, we have a load of silly costumes. For some reason, we all have more fun when we’re all dressed up. It’s just that time of year.

What are your family traditions on Christmas Day?

We always sit down and watch The Sound of Music on Christmas Day. With my mother we always watch the Queen’s speech, well the King’s speech now, so we try to finish lunch in time for that. Then we have a mini party for whoever is staying in the house. But daytime we’re just flopping and eating Quality Street – a lot of Quality Street. Trying to go for dog walks, but more often than not feeling too lazy to, and playing with our presents of course.

Are you much of a chef? Who's in charge of Christmas dinner?

We take it in turns. The actual Christmas dinner we all chip in. My sister does the potatoes because she does the best roast potatoes in the world. I normally do the turkey and set my alarm very early to come down and put it in the Aga. My mother makes the Christmas cake, that’s her tradition, and my aunt sends a Christmas pudding. I organise it all on an excel sheet, just so I know what everyone is doing.

What are some of your most treasured Christmas memories?

Of course, Damian’s first Christmas. It's always going to be special when you’ve got a child and it’s their first time seeing Christmas trees and lights and wrapping paper to play with. Otherwise, I think back to my childhood in the 70s with my dad carving the turkey and my mum at the mince pies and me and my sister in matching white polo-necks with red kilts.

Finally, do you have a favourite Christmas film?

Last Christmas, the one written by Emma Thompson.

Shop the Debenhams Christmas edit and join the conversation of social with #DuhDebenhams

Nikki Peach is a writer at Grazia UK, working across pop culture, TV and news. She has also written for the i, i-D and the New Statesman Media Group and covers all things TV for Grazia (treating high and lowbrow shows with equal respect).